ne Fifth, Ralph Lauren's latest Home Collection, is beyond beautiful and sexy with its Art Deco influence and black & gold detailing. The gold textured walls are exquisite.  A few years back, I tried to duplicate this process, but was quite unsuccessful. After seeing it done in a magazine, I anxiously went out and purchased  the required accoutrement: paint, the special rollers, drop cloths  etc., but it proved a rather disastrous undertaking.  Since my place at the time was  primarily furnished in earth tones (cream, tan, brown and gold),  I really thought gold-toned walls would prove most complementary. And maybe they would have, but...

When I finally moved into my new place,  a couple of years back, I decided to go in a new, safer direction: Black & White. Though after seeing this new collection by Ralph Lauren, I may very well opt for a tri-brid of  Black, White and hints of Gold for my next  place. One good thing about most Lauren interiors is that they are often quite suitable for either the sophisticated  gentleman or gentlewoman. Sometimes, it's  just a matter of switching out one or two accessories to be more gender specific.  (Oh, and by the way, the second time around I did decide to hire a professional painter to paint my new apartment: semi-gloss white, with a small black accent wall.)

I had the opportunity to puchase the Clivedon Carved Chair, shown above, in a black, faux crocodile covering. Even though they were reduced to $3,000.00 each (reg. price was approx. $10,000.00), I begged off.  Dilemma: Brand new, gently-reduced chairs or a gently used car?

t’s never easy to be your own man, and your father’s son, but David is absolutely both,” remarked Vogue’s doyenne, Anna Wintour, about Ralph Lauren’s middle child. How many young men, particularly those born to prominent and successful fathers, can honestly have this said about them? This grand statement is even more poignant for someone who’s been able to cut their own path in their parent’s world, to now be touted as the possible heir apparent of his father’s fashion empire. And not just any empire, but a world-famous conglomerate with a market cap of $13 billion: Polo Ralph Lauren. As Vice-President and head of Ralph Lauren Media, thirty-nine year old David Lauren, a Duke graduate, has ushered this venerable lifestyle brand into the digital age (see last year’s 4D video here), engendering such accolades from his father as, “You have made me very proud.” Who doesn’t want to hear these words uttered from a parent? Especially, when you’re partially responsible for taking his “baby” to the next level and beyond.

I remember David’s foray into print media back in the 90’s with Swing magazine. At the time, it was a cutting-edge magazine that spoke to the hearts and minds of twentysomethings and their lifestyle. The 1994 premiere issue, which I still have, (shown here) profiled the likes of Dell computer’s, Michael Dell, John Singleton, Dr. Dre, Queen Latifah, Mariah Carey, Julia Roberts and Cindy Crawford to name a few of the now extraordinarily famous fotysomethings.

What is it about the rich &  famous that so many of us find fascinating? Maybe it's the whole  "the grass is greener" mentality? Or the notion of "If only I were rich..."

Featured in the September issue of VANITY FAIR is a beautiful layout on the upcoming film, W.E., by Madonna. In this latest adaptation of the life and love of the Duke and Duchess, Madonna has taken on W.E. as her second directorial endeavor with Alek Keshishian as co-writer. (Alek you may remember directed her in Truth or Dare back in the 90's.) The film features over 60 couture worthy wardrobe pieces by costume designer, Arianne Phillips in collaboration with Dunhill, Cartier and Dior. There is no denying that The Duke and Duchess of Windsor were a fascinating couple to many; definitely known for their sartorial splendor. It's even been said that the Duke is the gentleman responsible for bringing into fashion, cuffs on gentleman's trousers. (Apparently, when in the country, he'd turn up his pants to keep them from getting muddy.)

With actors, Andrea Riseborough as Wallis Simpson and James D'Arcy in the role of King Edward VIII, the film, W.E. (coming December 9th) tells the story of not only the Duke and Duchess (twice-divorced American, Wallis, was not allowed use of the title Her Royal Highness), but also of current-day New Yorker, Wally (Abbie Cornish), who falls in love with a Sotheby's security guard, while trying to navigate a rather hapless marriage. What is most fascinating to me are the suits of the Duke in the editorial; particularly the black and white Glen Plaid suit and houndstooth tie below. Ah, to return to the days when one still dressed for dinner.

onna Karan has long been the arbiter of style for sophisticated and chic Renaissance women: mothers, daughters, friends, businesswomen, women-about-town and ladies-who-lunch. In Donna Karan's Fall 2011 Campaign, photographed by Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, model Isabeli Fontana  convincingly embodies all of these, as well as sexual goddess. While Isabeli's personae seems to be that of a modern and elegant businesswoman, the campaign is strongly reminicent of Donna Karan's 1992 campaign with Rosemary McGrotha showing the ad's heroine as the first female president. It's been nearly twenty years and the former easily stands up to the latter ad of today. Proof that Ms. Karan's clothing and lifestyle branding is absolutely timeless.

Looking at the image above, I remember having read somewhere that Ms. Karan believes that no matter how much a woman's weight fluctuates, her shoulders remain the same. Whether this is true or not,  I do know that the hint of a woman's shoulders and neck can be as sexy as a hint of cleavage.

I've had the distinct pleasure of having met Ms. Karan more than once over the years; the first time at a private meeting in 1993 at Nordstrom's (South Coast Plaza - CA.) when she and her husband, Stephen, were launching their women's fragrance line. There have been but a few people of note that I've wanted to meet and she's been one such person. She seems to be someone who truly lives life passionately and more importantly, authentically. Every Sophisticated  Gentleman needs a Sophisticated Woman; once you've found her, allow Donna Karan to dress her.

Whether in color or B&W, this shot is definitely worth a second glance.

Donna Karan

Set on 150 manicured acres, about forty-five minutes outside of Los Angeles, CA, is the sumptuous home of Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith, and their two children: Jaden and Willow. Beautifully photographed by Roger Davies in this month's issue September of Architectural Digest, the 25,000 ft, adobe-styl home was designed by Stephen Samuelson and the architect Harry Perez-Daple.

While the home is, without question, a well-appointed abode, wouldn't it be nice, particularly in a child's room, to just once  see a pair of socks peeking from beneath a bed or an out-of-place toy in a corner? What do you think?

The foyer.

The living room.

The Dining Room.

The Kitchen.

The breakfast "nook."
What a way to start your day; a good meal and a magnificent view!

Jada's meditation room.

The billiard room.

The screening room.

The master bedroom.

Will and Jada's closet.
(or, at least, Jada's from the looks of things.)

The master bedroom's romantic patio.

The shower in the master bedroom.

Willow's bedroom.

Jaden's bedroom, showcasing his director's chair from the set of his first film,
"The Pursuit of Happyness."

The pool was designed by landscape architect, Daniel Busbin.